Unions, environmental groups have Layton's ear, lobbying records show

Jack Layton has been more actively lobbied by labour organizations and environmental groups compared with other party leaders, according to a Postmedia News analysis of records compiled by Canada's lobbying commissioner.

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OTTAWA — The NDP's jump in popularity is causing some hand-wringing within the business community, but for unions, environmentalists and other groups who say they've been neglected by the Harper government, it could be an opportunity to exert more influence on federal policies.

Jack Layton has been more actively lobbied by labour organizations and environmental groups compared with other party leaders, according to a Postmedia News analysis of records compiled by Canada's lobbying commissioner. Individuals representing labour groups lobbied Layton eight times, which works out to slightly more than 26 per cent of the 30 recorded contacts he had with lobbyists.

Both Conservative leader Stephen Harper and Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff were lobbied slightly more than seven per cent of the time by labour organizations.

Harper has been lobbied much more often by advocates representing industry, compared with both Layton and Ignatieff. More than two-thirds of Harper's contacts have been with lobbyists representing industry, compared with 25 per cent for Ignatieff and 10 per cent for Layton.

If he becomes prime minister, Layton would likely be targeted more often by business groups and individual firms. A spokeswoman for Layton said the NDP leader does his best to meet with advocates of all stripes, within the constraints of his busy schedule. "We're happy to meet with representatives from both industry and civil society," said NDP spokeswoman Kathleen Monk.

But union leaders hope Layton won't forget the NDP's traditionally strong ties to organized labour if he makes it all the way to 24 Sussex Drive.

"We obviously had an open-door policy with Jack, and always have," said Ken Lewenza, president of the Canadian Auto Workers. "I would think that under a Jack Layton leadership, you might be able to challenge the root causes of the problems we've had in the auto industry."

Lewenza said he has discussed a range of issues with Layton, such as enhancing Canada Pension Plan benefits, increasing support for low-income seniors and pursuing "reciprocal" trade deals that would require trading partners to buy one dollar in Canadian imports for every dollar in exports to Canada.

The CAW is actively campaigning against the Conservatives, despite the fact the Harper government offered billions in federal taxpayers' funds to bail out GM and Chrysler during the global financial crisis. Lewenza said the Conservatives only reluctantly agreed to help the industry after it became clear the United States would lead the way.

"I don't think it's any secret that the Conservative party under Steve Harper has a distaste for the labour movement," said Lewenza.

Since July 2008, lobbyists have been required to report prearranged meetings or conversations they have with public office holders, including the prime minister and his cabinet and senior bureaucrats such as deputy ministers. Last fall, the Conservatives extended the disclosure rules to all MPs and senators, including members of the opposition.

The records for lobbying contacts with Layton date back to February 2009, while the records for Harper date back to July 2008.

This year, in the leadup to the March 22 budget, Layton was lobbied by the CAW, the Canadian Labour Congress and Teamsters Canada, which lobbied the NDP twice.

A lobbyist for Teamsters Canada said his organization has also lobbied Conservative ministers and numerous members of other parties, primarily on pension reform and transportation-safety issues. "Meeting with Mr. Layton would be just part of our general lobbying efforts. There's nothing exceptional about it," said Teamsters lobbyist Phil Benson.

Layton has also had discussions this year with the Canadian Medical Association, the College of Family Physicians Canada and the Canadian Urban Transit Association. Layton eventually opposed the budget, saying it didn't offer enough help for middle-class families.

Harper has also been lobbied this year by the CAW and the Canadian Labour Congress. But he also heard from three of the country's most influential business groups: the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Council of Chief Executives and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

Layton's last contact with industry lobbyists came in December 2010, when he and several members of the NDP caucus were lobbied by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. He has also been lobbied by the Retail Council of Canada. Only one individual firm, gold producer Iamgold Corp., lobbied the NDP leader during the period for which records are available.

Environmental groups have also enjoyed relatively good access to Layton. The NDP leader has had discussions a total of five times with the Pembina Institute, the David Suzuki Foundation, Nature Canada and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.

Only one environmental organization — the Canadian Environmental Law Association — has managed to gain access to Harper since July 2008.

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Jack Layton has been more actively lobbied by labour organizations and environmental groups compared with other party leaders, according to a Postmedia News analysis of records compiled by Canada's lobbying commissioner.

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